More than 800 UK police staff inappropriately accessed personal information between June 2011 and December 2015, according to a report from activist group Big Brother Watch.
The report says some police staff used their access to a growing trove of police data, which includes personal information on civilians, for entertainment and personal and financial gain.
ot only was some information not needed for official police work, according to the report, but was shared with third parties outside the police, including some organized crime groups, 877 times.
In total, 2,315 incidents of inappropriate access or distribution of data were reported.
The majority of incidents, 1,283, ended up with no disciplinary action taking place, while 297 ended in a resignation or dismissal, 258 resulted in a written or verbal warning, and 70 led to a criminal conviction or caution.
Robin Edgar
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